News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Food, Booze And Film: Alamo Drafthouse Opens In Richardson

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
/
Flickr

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Art house versus "Animal House Wednesday"; the lesser-known possibilities of tax free-weekend; how women with careers in science draw more high school girls to choose physics classes in their communities and more.

The dynamic, events-and-beer-driven theater of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema begins officially today in Richardson. Expectations of local critics vary; D’s Peter Simek tires of ‘80s movie night trends he fears dilute the filmgoing experience in general. Longtime Alamo fan Chris Vognar of Art&Seek Big Screen fame and Dallas News film critic is more hopeful.

Tim League founded the Austin-based chain in 1997. He told the Huffington Post which films inspired him most as the mind behind “Weird Wednesdays” and Elf quote-a-longs: Risky Business and Godfather II.

Opening weekend kicks off with a screening tomorrow of Fritz Lang’s silent classic Metropolis. BL Lacerta performs the score live.

  • The Secrets Of Tax-Free Weekend: There are a few surprising products exempt from tax this weekend, along with the better-known crayons and binders. Like support hosiery. KERA’s Lauren Silverman found out this weekend is the best time to stock up on adult diapers, if you should need them.

  • Deep Ellum Is Opening For More Business: All that talk about a(nother) era of revitalization for Deep Ellum is slowly turning into action. Brandon Castillo, who runs the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market, added that signature bodega vibe to Deep Ellum Postal and Grocer, which opened this month. And Billy Milner, a resident of the ‘hood, hopes his vintage/antique shop called Life of Riley across from the popular Lula B’s Antique Mall on Main Street will officially open early next year. [Dallas News]

  • High School Girls With Local Role Models Show More Interest In Physics: Findings from a new study co-authored by UT sociologist Catherine Riegle-Crumb helps support the idea that the physics gender divide isn’t innate. Schools where boys and girls were electing to take high school physics courses at a more equal rate also had communities with more women in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. Their presence at public talks and school forums help influence the girls, but even just knowing a woman with such a career makes an impact, Riegle-Crumb explained to NPR’s Shankar Vedantam.

  • ‘Tribute To Kidd’ Set For August 15: Kidd Kraddick’s favorite musician was Ben Folds. The songsmith signed on to play a tribute at AT&T Plaza August 15 in honor of the beloved 106.1 KISS FM morning show host, who died last month of cardiac disease. That pre-show is before a House of Blues benefit for the Kidd’s Kids charity, featuring the likes of Jason Derulo and the Jonas Brothers. [Dallas Observer]

Lyndsay Knecht is assistant producer for Think.